Belize’s first and most enduring inhabitants, the Maya, left a rich legacy of art, science and mathematics that continues to unfold and astound us. Much of this ancient knowledge was lost when Spanish conquistadors laid waste to the extensive Maya libraries and administrative centres, but, fortunately, the Maya recorded parts of their history and predictions in stone inscriptions that can be seen today in stelae and the remains of elaborate cities, buildings and temples that survived centuries of jungle encroachment.

We have listed 6 of the most impressive Mayan Ruins found in Belize:

1. Xunantuinch

“maiden of the rock” or “stone woman”

Xunantunich Maya site is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz. It can be reached by ferry daily between 8 am and 5 pm. This site is less than one mile from some lovely rapids of the Mopan River and provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. Xunantunich is a Classic Period ceremonial center. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers. In Group A, Structure A-6 (El Castillo) rises 130 feet above plaza level making it one of the tallest buildings in Belize.

2. Altun Ha

“Rockstone Pond”

Altun Ha is located 31 miles north of Belize City on the Old Northern Highway. A two-mile dirt road connects the main road to the site. The area around the Altun Ha is rich in wildlife including armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, paca, foxes, raccoons, coati, tyra, tapir and the white-tailed deer. Two hundred species of birds have been recorded and there are large crocodiles that inhabit the Maya-made water reservoir.

3. Lamanai

Photo by @TonyRath

“Submerged Crocodile”

Lamanai is the Maya word for “submerged crocodile.” The site’s name – “Lamanay” or “Lamayna” was recorded by Franciscan missionaries in the seventeenth century. It is one of the only sites retaining its original name and is among one of Belize’s largest ceremonial centre. The name Lamanai helps to explain the numerous crocodile motifs at the site. Crocodile effigies appear on figurines, vessel decorations, and on the large headdress on a limestone mask at one of the principal structures at the site.

4.Caracol

“Snail”

Located on the western edge of the Maya Mountains within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol lies on a high plateau of 500m above sea level that drops into a deep valley to the northwest and rises into hilly terrain to the southwest. The site was discovered in 1938 by Rosa Mai, a logger looking for mahogany. The temple “Caana” rises 42 meters above plaza level and to this day is the largest man-made structure in Belize. Over 70 formal tombs have been excavated and many hieroglyphic texts have been found on stelea, altars, and ball court markers, capstones and wall facades. Ocellated Turkeys are one of the many wildlife species that you will find in this area. This region is also known as an excellent location for birding.

5. Lubaantun

“Place of the Fallen Stones”

This Late Classic ceremonial center is noted for its unusual style of construction distinctive of southern Belize. The large pyramids and residences are made of dresses stone blocks with no mortar binding them together. The buildings on top of the pyramids were made from perishable materials rather than masonry and hence do not remain. The name is Maya for “Place of Fallen Stones.” The most famous crystal skull was allegedly discovered here in Lubaantun by a 17-year old Anna Mitchell-Hedges in 1924 or 1927 while accompanying her adoptive father on an excavation of the ancient Mayan city.

6. Cahal Pech

“Place of Ticks”

The Cahal Pech Maya site and Visitor Center are located in the Cayo District on a hill overlooking the beautiful town of San Ignacio. Its closeness to town and the vast contrast from town life to rich jungle environment make Cahal Pech a unique place to visit. The site center is made up of 34 structures located around several courtyards, including temple pyramids and residential buildings. The tallest structure here is 23.5 meters (77 feet) high. There are also 2 ballcourts, 8 stelae and 1 altar. Preliminary investigations carried out in 1988 revealed that Cahal Pech was settled by 1200 B.C. and abandoned around A.D. 850. This makes Cahal Pech one of the earliest Maya sites in the Belize region of the Maya lowlands, contemporaneous with Cuello in the north. A carved monument discovered at Cahal Pech is also the earliest carved stelae yet discovered in the eastern Maya lowlands.

There’s a unique kind of relief that floods your body when you see your suitcase slowly rotating toward you on the baggage carousel, coming back like a loyal pet (or a cold sore). If you’ve listened to our advice, there’s no reason you should ever lose your luggage again, but with a seemingly endless stream of stories about airlines who have forgotten almost a full day’s worth of luggage or temporarily misplaced several show dogs, it’s worth looking into what you should do if it happens to you. Here are the best ways to handle it (right after you shake your clenched fist toward the sky):

Pull Out that Baggage Claim Tag:

The sticker or piece of perforated cardboard you got when you checked your bag is the most important part of this process (if, like me, you lose everything that isn’t stapled to your body, take a picture of it when you check in at your departure airport). When you contact customer service, you’ll need that number.

Don’t Leave the Airport:

The carrier responsible for your missing bag is the one that flew you to your final destination. Chances are, their baggage-claims office is somewhere near the luggage carousel that just betrayed you.

Be Detailed:

Know the exact description of your bag (a picture helps), and double check the report to make sure all of the information about your departure, arrival and connecting flights is correct. “Duh,” right? But listing the wrong flight number or airline code might mean that you’re waiting even longer for your bag to catch up with you. And be polite when you’re in the claims office. Yes, you’re irritated and inconvenienced, but the guy behind the desk isn’t at fault.

Ask About Compensation:

If your bag won’t arrive within a reasonable amount of time (and the definition of “reasonable” can vary from carrier to carrier; Delta, for example, defines it as twelve hours) then you might be entitled to reimbursements. The U.S. Department of Transportation writes in its Fly Rights Guide:

Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases. The amount depends on whether or not you’re away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you. If the airline does not provide you a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities. Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts

Just limit yourself to toiletries, a toothbrush and possibly a pair of clean underwear. You’re not getting reimbursed for new headphones, shoes, or Lasik surgery. Also, talk to the agent about a refund on your baggage fee. Chances are, you paid $25-$35 to check that bag, so it’s not unreasonable (our definition) to ask for a refund. Whether you get actual cash back, though, is up to the carrier. Delta will give you a voucher to use for checking a bag on a future flight.

Turn to Social Media:

Send a tweet to the airline’s customer service department while you’re waiting in line and you might get a response before it’s your turn in the baggage-claim office, and there’s a very good chance that someone will respond before you get an operator on a 1-800-number.

Check Your Apps:

You can track checked luggage from your phone with some carriers’ apps. One show-dog owner used FlyDelta to discover that his well-groomed travel companion hadn’t been loaded onto a flight out of JFK airport.

Try to Stay Calm:

According to the DoT, last year U.S. airlines averaged 3.62 reports of mishandled (defined as lost, damaged or delayed) baggage for every 1,000 passengers. Yes, that comes out to around 2 million bags but — even if you’re standing in baggage claim freaking out — there’s a very, very good chance that you and your suitcase are going to be reunited. But go ahead and shake your fist anyway.

Easter in Belize is another one of those festive celebrations that could only happen in this tranquil melting pot nestled between the Caribbean Sea and pristine rainforests of Central America.

Like every holiday in Belize, Easter is a combination of the familiar and the exotic, retaining the traditional elements that North Americans and Europeans love along with an added cultural zest from Belize’s different ethnic groups, from the ancient Maya through to more recent settlers.

For example, Easter eggs are hunted amidst colourful tropical gardens, in verdant pastoral land and on the fringes of lush jungles; Easter baskets may include chocolate made from Maya cacao first cultivated in Belize thousands of years ago; the agouti may stand in for the Easter Bunny, and big lazy ham dinners may feature tortillas and tamales on the side.

It’s a rich blend that makes a Belizean Easter something to remember.

Easter has always been important in Belize, and it’s been a tradition at Chaa Creek ever since owners Mick and Lucy Fleming celebrated their first Easter Sunday on the farm over three decades ago. As with any young couple, the arrival of a daughter, soon followed by a son, enlivened the celebrations, and soon there were Easter egg hunts and big dinners for the young Flemings and their friends.

As Chaa Creek grew, so did the number of guests at the Easter table, and before too long Chaa Creek was hosting “Easter Week” to accommodate visitors from all over the world who wanted to take part in something special.

And this year is shaping up to be the best Easter in Belize yet!

Imagine Easter in a gorgeous tropical rainforest setting surrounded by butterflies, birds, flowers and chocolate while enjoying a basket full of activities designed to stimulate both the mind and appetite, leaving you satisfied and healthy.

And this year Chaa Creek is introducing new Easter activities to delight guests of all ages.

The annual Easter egg hunt, always a big hit with both kids and adults, will again be on offer, and this year there will also be more ambitious hunts with naturalist guides leading fun, informative nature walks through the surrounding jungle.

And, for the first time, guests will be invited to take part in the annual survey of nesting areas around Chaa Creek, exploring the forest with guides to identify and record the wide variety and number of birds’ nests in local forests. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to an important body of work while learning from Belize’s foremost naturalists.

This is an Easter egg and nest hunt that will contribute to environmental management and leave you with a better appreciation of Belize’s natural beauty.

And, of course, thinking about Easter eggs invariably leads to chocolate, and in Belize, the heartland of the Maya and home of chocolate, this takes on a new dimension.

Some people are surprised to discover that chocolate, in the form of processed local cacao, was originally created right here by the indigenous Maya, where it was known as chocolātl and revered throughout the region. Local Maya artisans still craft chocolate in a traditional manner, and guests are invited to join them over Easter Week. Making your own chocolate Easter egg from local cacao and using ancient Maya techniques dating back thousands of years? How cool is that?

And for the ultimate chocolate experience, the Hilltop Spa’s chocolate themed treatments and wraps, including the extraordinary Chocolatissimo, will all be on offer during Easter Week.

Something else new for this year is the exciting Rainforest Safari, aka Jungle Buggy Tour that allows guest to explore Chaa Creek’s 365-acre private rainforest reserve from the comfort of an ATV in the company of knowledgeable naturalist guides. You’ll put your binoculars and cameras to good use during this in-depth excursion into Belize’s unspoiled rainforest environment filled with exotic wildlife.

Of course, the week will feature all the things that make Easter at Chaa Creek such a treat, including sumptuous dinners, swims and lounging around the infinity pool, and options that include exquisite pampering at the Hilltop Spa, a range of family friendly activities, romantic interludes for couples in a luxury Jacuzzi Suite, and the flexibility to do as much or as little as you like during the ultimate Easter vacation in Belize.

We’ll keep you posted here, and feel free to contact Chaa Creek to let them help you create an Easter vacation you’ll remember forever.

Looking for Adventure? Try the Belizean Rainforest Safari ATV Tour!

Late last year those imaginative folks at Chaa Creek promised some new adventures for 2015, and we’re happy to report that an exciting new Rainforest Safari has been added to the list of jungle exploits.

Just the very word Safari evokes adventure and romance, and while things have changed since the early days of big game hunters, with images of Ernest Hemingway traipsing around the African bush, there’s still something about the notion of setting off to explore the wilderness in a rugged four wheel drive vehicle with a local guide that captivates the imagination.

And for us, the beauty of Chaa Creek’s Rainforest Safari is the convenience and affordability of this rather awesome motorised trek into Belizean landscapes not often visited by the casual traveller.

With two safaris a day; a morning excursion leaving at 7.30am and returning at 9.30am, and an afternoon jaunt between 1.30pm to 3.30pm, intrepid travellers can experience a real bush safari guided by experienced licenced naturalist guides while still having plenty of time for, say, swimming, canoeing or taking part in any of the many other activities on offer within Chaa Creek’s 365 acre private nature reserve.

Then again, there’s something to be said about taking the rest of the day off for leisurely lounging around the infinity pool or, in time-honoured safari tradition, sitting around with a cool tropical drink recounting the day’s adventures.

(Hemingway was partial to coconut water with gin and bitters, and the Jungle Lounge’s barman can suggest a variety of suitably exotic refreshments)

But seriously, this is a jungle experience not to be missed!

With an ATV carrying guests along rainforest trails to a cohune ridge and through broadleaf forests that support a wide variety of wild and bird life. We remember seeing a tapir near there years ago, and you’ll definitely want to pack a camera and binoculars, as Chaa Creek’s guides have an uncanny knack for spotting things most people would miss.

With a minimum of two and maximum of four guests, and plenty of time for questions, explanations and bush lore, this is an intimate Belizean adventure and another of those “only at Chaa Creek” activities that makes the place live up to it’s reputation as Belize’s most complete destination.

The fact that you can enjoy the ministrations of a professional spa and enjoy exquisite Maya organic farm fresh meals after such a unique bush experience only adds to the experience.

And, at only US$25 a head, even the price harkens back to days gone by.

If a “Safari in Belize” sounds strange, consider that Safari is a Swahili word for journey, with “kusafiri” meaning to travel. Given Chaa Creek’s owners’ penchant for travel and Mick’s African bush experience, a Belizean Rainforest Safari begins to make perfect sense… and a lot of fun!

Belize is an un-belizeable country to experience, particularly for those seeking an Eco-tourism trip. An independent nation since 1981, this Central American country is a charming escape for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy diving, swimming and adventure. The laid-back Caribbean hideaway is populated with pastel clapboard restaurants and shops, turquoise water and sparsely populated beaches.

Belize’s six districts and 200 offshore cayes (islands) are easy – and beautiful – to navigate. We’ve curated 12 can’t miss experiences that represent the best of Belize.

Dive into The Blue Hole

Serious divers must experience The Blue Hole, a 1,000-foot across sinkhole that is home to diverse marine life like hammerhead sharks and expansive underwater vistas. Made famous by a 1970s Jacques Cousteau documentary, this is the world’s largest formation of its kind. Located 55 miles east of Belize City, The Blue Hole is 412 feet deep, not for the faint of heart. Tour operators like Ramon’s Village Dive Shop, Splash Dive Center, Portofino and Seahorse Dive Shopoffer tours to The Blue Hole.

Be a beach bum

Leave the crowds behind and escape to Caye Caulker’s quiet beaches. Home to some of the best SCUBA diving and snorkeling in Belize, Caye Caulker is an easy water taxi ride away. There are charming small shops, excellent seafood restaurants and idyllic beaches.

Step back in time

Once home to the Mayans, Belize is dotted with ancient ruins. One of the most popular and impressive ruins to visit is the hilltop Xunantunich (“maiden of the rock” in Mayan), near the Guatemalan border. Accessible by taking a hand-cranked ferry ride over the Mopan River, the ruins were built during the Classic period (200 A.D. – 900 A.D.). The ruins include six plazas, 25 temples and palaces including El Castillo (the Castle), the largest pyramid that towers 130 feet above the plaza and is adorned with elaborate friezes on the east and west sides.

Try ‘The Royal Rat’

Made famous by Queen Elizabeth who sampled the tasty treat during a visit to Belize, gibnut is a large rodent. Nicknamed “the royal rat,” this delicacy can be found at Nerie’s on Freetown Road in Belize City. What started as one tiny restaurant has expanded into a trio of restaurants serving Belizean cuisine like rice and beans, plantains, fresh fruit juices and, for the adventurous, gibnut.

Enjoy hoppy happy hour

One of the best spots to sip local Belikin Beer is Placencia Peninsula. Known locally as “Barefoot Perfect,” Placencia Peninsula is 16 miles of golden sand, the only golden-sand beaches on mainland Belize. After sunbathing on the beach, soak up the traditional Kriol (Creole) fishing village vibe over an ice cold Belikin lager or stout at local village bars and restaurants, or enjoy a bottle or two with your feet in the sand.

Monkey around in the jungle

How does spending the night in the jungle sound? Located in the Bermudian Landing village in the Belize River Valley area, Howler Monkey Resort is a riverside lodge where travelers can get up close and personal with nature. There’s a trail that traverses the 20-acre monkey sanctuary. The resort has six air-conditioned cabins located beneath the monkey’s canopy, providing perfect photo opportunities.

Go cave tubing

Grab an inner tube and float through the Caves Branch River east of the capital, Belmopan. The Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve is home to caves the ancient Maya held sacred. Tubing tours take visitors into the caves populated with stalactites, stalagmites, Mayan cave paintings and aquatic life. Tours run daily, so stop, er, float by and don’t forget your camera. Tour operators like Vital Nature and Mayan Tours offer cave tubing tours daily.

Feelin’ hot, hot, hot: Sample Marie Sharp Hot Sauce

On most restaurant tables in Belize, diners find a bottle of Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce, a fiery habanero pepper sauce blended with carrots and onions in varying degrees of heat, from mild to “beware.” Dabbing some Marie Sharp Hot Sauce on Belizean cuisine is a must. Diners will quickly realize why the sauces are so popular (sales totaled $3 million last year). Hot sauce fans can go on a free factory tour to see how the Belizean makes her famous sauce. The 20-minute tour, sometimes led by Sharp, includes the farm where the raw materials come from and the facility where the sauce is made. There is a gift shop too (tours are offered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday).

Swim with the fishes

Considered part of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley is located one mile south of the Hol Chan Cut and was once a place where fishermen would clean their catches, which attracted stingrays and nurse sharks. It’s now a prime spot for snorkeling with stingrays, nurse sharks and turtles. Aquatic adventure seekers must visit via a boat and guide from San Pedro or Caye Caulker to visit Shark Ray Alley.

Indulge in an amazing outdoor massage

Set within a 365-acre rain-forest reserve, Eco-resort Chaa Creek is bordered by the Macal River and Maya Mountains foothills. While the 23 thatched cottages provide luxurious and relaxing accommodations, the Hilltop Spa at Chaa Creek makes this a destination worth seeking out. The spa offers a range of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures with herbal and Eco-friendly products. Try the signature Chocolatissimo Spa Treatment, a soothing sensuous spa experience that includes a trio of cacao treatments, a scrub, a body wrap and 60-minute massage.

Get immersed in Garifuna culture

Hopkins, a coastal village in eastern Belize, is known as the cultural center of the Garifuna community. Descendants of West African, Central African, Carib and Arawak people, Garifuna culture thrives in Hopkins. Visitors are warmly welcome to dance, learn, drum and indulge in traditional cuisine like tamales and conch fritters.

See sunsets and sip sundowners

Adjacent to the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere, Ambergris Caye is a popular place for diving and snorkeling. Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island (approximately 36 miles) and is also the best place for viewing the sunset with a sundowner. From the cobblestone streets of San Pedro to the beaches, visitors are almost guaranteed a picture-perfect sunset.